Washington (CNN) – Republican Sen. Jim DeMint is sounding the alarm to the GOP, warning that unless the party can come together, it won't matter if Republicans regain control of Congress in November.

"If we get the majority again, even if it's just in the House, and we don't do what we say, I think the Republican Party is dead," DeMint told CNN's Candy Crowley, host of State of the Union and CNN's Chief Political Correspondent.

"The urgency for me here is the Democrat Party - and I know this sounds partisan but - are completely dysfunctional. They're the left of Europe," DeMint added, in an interview that will air Sunday on CNN's State of the Union with Candy Crowley.

A number of establishment-backed Republican candidates lost primary battles to conservative political newcomers this election cycle, as a wave of anti-Washington sentiment swept across the country. The movement has created a rift within the GOP that some predict will make governing more difficult, even if the Republicans have a majority.

DeMint has also incensed some within the Republican Party by backing conservative candidates rather than the GOP establishment's picks. He most recently endorsed Delaware Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell, who easily beat long-time Rep. Mike Castle in Tuesday's primary.

Frustration with DeMint in Republican circles boiled over following O'Donnell's win Tuesday night. One unnamed senior GOP aide told CNN's Dana Bash Tuesday night: "I wonder who Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer are calling first tonight – Chris Coons for becoming the next Senator from Delaware or Jim DeMint for helping to make it happen."

But DeMint -who has been mentioned as a 2012 presidential candidate– is taking a more conciliatory tone, telling Crowley that Republicans must unite around common causes in order to take back control.

"The Republicans are the only one who can carry the banner of what I think millions of Americans are saying - not just Republicans, Independents and Democrats - stop the spending, stop the borrowing, stop the debt, stop the takeovers. This is kind of uniting America," DeMint said.

soundoff(148 Responses)

markiejoe

"The Republicans are the only one who can carry the banner of what I think millions of Americans are saying – not just Republicans, Independents and Democrats – stop the spending, stop the borrowing, stop the debt," says DeMint.

Well, where was DeMint during the eight long years when the Bush administration was massively spending, borrowing, increasing the size of the federal government, and increasing the debt, all to unprecedented levels?

DeMint was hushed and nowhere to be found is the answer.

So I think we can conclude DeMint's current stance is (a) all politics, (b) all ego, and (c) all hypocrisy.

September 17, 2010 08:38 pm at 8:38 pm |

Jim

Keep their word? Which ones? The Republicans say so many crazy things its hard to keep track. How are they going to cut taxes and balance the budget? If they won't say now, that means they'll be too afraid to do it when the time comes.

September 17, 2010 08:39 pm at 8:39 pm |

Anonymous

Quote " If we get the majority again, even if it's just in the House, and we don't do what we say, I think the Republican Party is dead" that means they will just say NO for everything, I hope GOP and conservative die for good!

September 17, 2010 08:42 pm at 8:42 pm |

Wendy

This country is in trouble! Thanks to all you Tea Parties and GOP dummies. I guess you would rather have a bunch of dummies running the country than a "black Man" You wanted nuts like Backman, Palin, Angle and Christine McDonnell. Be careful what you wish for! Iran and all our enemies are just waiting. Your hateful ways will bring this country to its knees.If Palin becomes president, taht is the beginning of World War III! How sad!

September 17, 2010 08:43 pm at 8:43 pm |

JON

ya and i can see Russia from my house. DeMint's idea of the republican party is a white only others need not apply.

September 17, 2010 08:45 pm at 8:45 pm |

gg

Quote "If we get the majority again, even if it's just in the House, and we don't do what we say, I think the Republican Party is dead," that means they will just say NO for everything, I hope GOP and conservative die for good!

September 17, 2010 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

Donnatella

Hey Demint, they are already dead they just do know it yet, I hope they enjoy this year because it will be the last one for them, I have no doubt in my mind that once they get back in power and people see what they really are about, they will never vote for them again.

September 17, 2010 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

W L Jones

We have a proving history in this country amoung the majority in this country ,if one fight for our right we all fight, if one hungry we all pitch in and feed that person. It is in our best intrest that we stay in the majority Dem. for we the people for our great country we built from the ground up and we are not going to let a minority run what we have. Bless.

September 17, 2010 08:47 pm at 8:47 pm |

JON

All this BS from the party that got us into this problem. If you really want to see what the republican party has done start by doing your homework. 1) they killed the middle class, they removed regulation that help loose 8 trillion in middle class wealth, they want to turn SS over to the banks, they want to kill all of the health care bill removing they thing that help you and I. Remember who they work for big business. They're holding up middle class tax cut until they can get tax cuts for the rich. And the list goes on and on. How can a party say they're for Americans when they try to screw Americans every chance they get.

September 17, 2010 08:54 pm at 8:54 pm |

Linda

The Tea Party is scary. It is winner takes all no matter who you trample. Sounds like the party of communisum or the party of a dicator. Everyone has to accept their point of view or death.

September 17, 2010 08:56 pm at 8:56 pm |

Gwats1957

Republicans are seen as mean spirited and selfish, and these Tea Partiers are even worse. Americans voted against their best interests before, and got two Wars our kids will be paying for.

September 17, 2010 09:00 pm at 9:00 pm |

Wendy

I guess O'Donnell will get rich like dummy palin. All you poor followers who are still poor and without healthcare will remain helpless while these dummies get richer.

September 17, 2010 09:02 pm at 9:02 pm |

RinMaine

Dying as a party sounds like a good alternative.

September 17, 2010 09:02 pm at 9:02 pm |

Gwats1957

If the previous administration had not spent us into this hole, we wouldn't be standing in such a deep hole now.

September 17, 2010 09:03 pm at 9:03 pm |

Clwyd

I sure hope so! It couldn't happen to a more deserving group of right wing extremists. Oh, that is also the teabuggers! They are all bordering on National Socialists. Nazi's!

September 17, 2010 09:03 pm at 9:03 pm |

doug

The death of the Rebublican't party? Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of luck.

September 17, 2010 09:04 pm at 9:04 pm |

chuckG

I am 51 years old. I cannot point to ONE thing that a Republican has done in my life time to help out the middle class.

If you are not a millionaire and vote Republican you are an idiot.

September 17, 2010 09:13 pm at 9:13 pm |

Grundoon

The Tea Baggers are only relevant in the republican primaries. They are going to get a heallthy dose of reality in about 6 weeks

September 17, 2010 09:13 pm at 9:13 pm |

RobRoy

WOW just think no more war mongering, no more thievery, no more misery for the avergae person, corporations crying and paying taxes, gas at a normal price we can afford the possibilities are endless I don't believe in God that much but if this was to come to pass I would believe there really is a God. I'll even pray tonight maybe we can get them to put George Bush and the entire Bush clan in Prison before they leave but don't let that slow you down and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out and please never return. The entire world would celebrate such a fine day for AMERICA and the world especially Iraq. The poor oli companies and the Arads would go into mourning. But boy would I celebrate.

September 17, 2010 09:13 pm at 9:13 pm |

Billy D Williams Lookin' Mofo

If Jim DeMint topples over in the forest, does he make as dumb a noise as quoted here?

September 17, 2010 09:14 pm at 9:14 pm |

Marie MD

The rethugs are constantly telling lies and don't have a plan. What word are you going to keep when you can't come up with solutions and all you want is for the President (and the US) to fail?
Here's another moron pretending to be a contender.
You, dimwit are no Rocky!!!

September 17, 2010 09:15 pm at 9:15 pm |

Master of Deception

And guess who the Tea Party is going to put in the WH.

The corrupt leftist Obama media can't stop the will of the people.

September 17, 2010 09:16 pm at 9:16 pm |

Mike in Texas

The left of Europe? The Health Care plan is pretty much what the Repubs offered in the 90's. Taxes are the lowest in years. Even if the taxes expire for the top earners they still go back to Clinton's rates.

I think that the right is becoming more right than 30's Germany. A bad economy and fear is what brought Hitler into power.

With that said I think DeMint's fears will be come true.

September 17, 2010 09:16 pm at 9:16 pm |

moderate in maryland

Mr. DeMint will make the party a regional fringe party

September 17, 2010 09:16 pm at 9:16 pm |

CNN=corporate-line, not news

DeMint sounds desperate as ever.

And the Tea Party/Republicans are to the right of Hitler. Good riddance GOP.